Good question. If you aren’t from Cook County, IL, chances are, you have no earthly idea. Meet Obama’s choice to replace him as U.S. Senator from Illinois.
From HotAir.com-
The crony in question: Valerie Jarrett, who’s never run for public office in any capacity as far as I can tell but has earned appointments as chairman of the Chicago Transit Board and as a trustee of the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Which, in fairness, makes her more qualified to hold high office than The One.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff, said Sunday that he had not seen the report from Chicago’s WLS-TV that named Jarrett as Obama’s top pick, but he praised her as a “valuable ally.”
“People should know that Valerie Jarrett is – and people do know – she is a very dear friend of the president-elect and a valuable ally of his, not only prior to running for president, in his Senate life, and just personally for Michelle and Barack,” Emanuel said on ABC’s “This Week.”
How close is Jarrett to Obama? From TNR: “Jarrett’s cardinal role on the Obama campaign is to serve as an extension of the candidate. She is Obama’s eyes and ears at meetings and events. When she speaks, it is in his voice. She is often the one to deliver harsh truths to Obama-and to others on his behalf. And, when there is courting of vital constituencies to be done, Jarrett is an undisputed master.” Exit question: If we’re going to put Obama’s most dependable lackey in the Senate, why not cut out the middleman and just let him retain his office? There’s no reason to believe Jarrett would ever vote against his wishes. Just drop the pretense and let him be President/Senator.
UPDATE:
ABC News, 11/13- Valerie Jarrett, an Obama adviser and close friend of the family, took herself out of the running to replace him in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.
Where will she surface next?
2 Comments
November 10, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I took your advice and decided to write about contacting your congressmen (http://cabnfever.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/auto-bailout-contacting-your-congressman/). I don’t know if you need the info but you can get it there.
It’s funny because I just asked my roommate today what he thought about people replacing congressmen. I think the answer should be obvious – it shouldn’t be right. These are elected officials, what right do governors or whoever have in APPOINTING our elected officials. This looks like a perfect example of why they should have a special election instead of having some appointment.
Keep up the good work Janeq!
November 10, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Good job contacting your rep! Hope everyone does the same! Fight the good fight.
Jane Q.